HOYER STATEMENT ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE HEARING ON VOTING SYSTEMS

WASHINGTON – House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer released the following statement today regarding the House Administration Committee hearing on voting systems today. Congressman Hoyer was the lead House Democratic sponsor of the Help American Vote Act of 2002, the landmark election reform legislation.

“I applaud Chairman Bob Ney, Ranking Democrat John Larson, and members of the Committee on House Administration for inviting the distinguished panel of election officials and technology experts to help educate the American people on the security and performance of voting systems, an issue that has attracted considerable attention in recent months.

“As the committee of jurisdiction in the House on election-related issues, the House Administration Committee is in the position to gather the most current information on voting technology and pose tough questions about voting technology.

“I believe that this hearing will help us reach a sober judgment regarding the reliability of the voting systems that will be used in November’s election and what steps, if any, should be taken to make sure every vote cast is counted accurately.

“Voters deserve to know that this year’s election will not be a repeat of the controversial 2000 election. They also deserve to know the technology they will be voting on is secure and accurate. And I am hopeful that this hearing will advance those goals.”